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Pet Hurricane Clinic Offers Vaccinations, IDs & Preparedness Info
Jun 15, 2005 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA CONTACT: Pet Hurricane Clinic Offers Vaccinations, Identification, and Emergency Preparedness Information Fort Myers, Florida (6/15/05) In Southwest Florida the biggest threats from hurricanes occur from August through October. Don't forget about your pets when preparing and securing your family and property. Although pets should always be kept up-to-date on vaccinations and always have identification, it is imperative with the threat of hurricane season. Stress makes animals more susceptible to disease, and exposure could greatly increase if your pet becomes lost or is sheltered with other animals. If displaced by a storm, your pet may be in closer contact with wildlife and therefore face an increased risk of rabies. Lee County Animal Services is encouraging pet owners to prepare now before a hurricane strikes our area. With last year's dramatic season in mind, Animal Services will hold a Pet Preparedness Hurricane Clinic promoting proper veterinary care, vaccinations, identification, and emergency preparedness. The clinic will take place Sunday, July 10, from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Lee County Animal Services, 5600 Banner Drive, next to the Lee County Sheriff's Office, off Six Mile Cypress Pkwy. This year local veterinarians will join in the effort by having a variety of vaccinations, including rabies shots, at the clinic for the public to purchase. Pet licenses and microchip identification will also be available. Lee County Animal Services will offer the nationally registered Microchip IDs at a dramatically reduced price of only $10. Microchip IDs will also be available at Animal Services throughout the entire month of July for that price. The Microchip ID system proved itself successful in 2004 with the immediate return of many displaced and lost pets to their owners after Hurricane Charley. Animal Services, therefore, is requiring that all pets without Microchip IDs that are vaccinated at the clinic also be implanted with a Microchip ID. The Microchip ID is a small computer chip about the size of a grain of rice that is implanted by injection under the animal's skin between the shoulder blades. Nearly all shelters and veterinarians have scanners that read the microchip's unique number that identifies the owner. Permanent microchip identification is the best way to ensure that pet owners will be reunited with their animals. Information on preparing pets in case of a hurricane is available at the shelter and on Lee County Animal Services' website at www.leelostpets.com or call 432-2083. Lee County Animal Services provides animal control services throughout Lee County and operates an animal shelter to house stray and abandoned domestic animals. It also administers low-cost spay and neuter programs, educational initiatives, rabies and bite case control programs, and humane euthanasia when appropriate. It employs 37 and has an annual operating budget of $3.06 million. |